WHO Updates Guidelines to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Pregnancy-related complications are the leading cause of death globally among girls aged 15-19 years. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has updated its guidelines aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancy and mitigating its health impacts.

While teen pregnancy is a worldwide issue, it is especially critical in low- and middle-income countries. Each year, an estimated 21 million adolescent girls in these regions become pregnant — half of these pregnancies are unplanned.

Beyond the significant health risks — including increased rates of infection, preterm birth, and complications from unsafe abortions — adolescent pregnancy also leads to major social consequences. Early pregnancies often interrupt education and social development, contributing to long-term cycles of poverty and exclusion across generations.

“Early pregnancies can have serious physical and psychological consequences for girls and young women, and often reflect deep-rooted inequalities that limit their ability to shape their own relationships and life choices,” said Pascale Allotey, PhD, director of WHO’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research and of the United Nations’s Special Program of Research, Development, and Research Training in Human Reproduction.

“Tackling this issue means creating environments in which girls and young women can thrive — ensuring they remain in school, are protected from violence and coercion, and have access to sexual and reproductive health services that respect their rights and allow them to make informed choices about their futures,” she added.

Adolescent pregnancy is influenced by a range of factors, including social and economic vulnerability, gender inequality, and barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services. In some countries, these services are only available with parental or guardian consent, which can further restrict access.

There is also a well-established connection between teen pregnancy and child marriage. In low- and middle-income countries, approximately 90% of adolescent mothers were married before the age of 18 years.

In light of this, the updated WHO guideline calls for urgent global action to end child marriage. It recommends multisectoral efforts to provide meaningful alternatives to early marriage, such as expanding girls’ access to education and improving their long-term prospects. Increased school enrollment and completion have been shown to reduce the likelihood of early unions. For adolescents at higher risk, the guidance suggests providing targeted support — such as scholarships or financial incentives — to help them remain in school through secondary education.

The WHO also recommends that countries adopt legislation prohibiting marriage before the age of 18 years.

“Early marriage robs girls of their childhood and has severe consequences for their health,” said Sheri Bastien, PhD, adolescent sexual and reproductive health scientist at WHO. “Education is fundamental to changing the future of girls. At the same time, adolescents — both boys and girls — must be empowered to understand consent, take care of their health, and challenge the entrenched gender inequalities that continue to drive high rates of child marriage and early pregnancy in many parts of the world.”

The updated guideline highlights the importance of providing comprehensive, age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents of all genders. Evidence shows that such education can help prevent teenage pregnancies and delay the initiation of sexual activity.

WHO also emphasizes the need for adolescents to have access to contraceptive methods, along with proper guidance on their correct use.

Experts further stress that pregnant adolescents — who frequently face stigma and discrimination — must receive high-quality, respectful healthcare. This includes access to safe abortion services where legally permitted.

The newly published guideline updates the original 2011 edition, incorporating over a decade of new research and field experience. It reflects growing calls — both within and beyond WHO — for more robust and evidence-based strategies to address adolescent pregnancy.

Despite persistent challenges, global progress has been made. Between 2000 and 2021, the adolescent birth rate declined from 64.5-42.5 births per 1000 girls aged 15-19 years.

However, significant regional disparities remain. The most notable declines were observed in South, Central, and West Asia, as well as North Africa. In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean continue to have the highest adolescent birth rates — 101 and 53.2 births per 1000 adolescent girls, respectively, in 2021.

The report also notes substantial differences within individual regions and countries. For example, in Latin America and the Caribbean, Nicaragua reported 85.6 births per 1000 adolescent girls in 2021 compared with 24.1 per 1000 in Chile.

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WHO Updates Guidelines to Prevent Teen Pregnancy